Southern Districts defender Brodie Lake makes first start of the 2020-21 NTFL season

AFL prospect Brodie Lake will play his first game of the NTFL season when he takes to the field in Southern Districts colours against Palmerston at Norbuilt Oval, after missing out on the 2020 Draft.

AFL prospect and Southern Districts defender Brodie Lake makes his first appearance of the 2020-21 NTFL season. Picture: Felicity Elliott AFLNT/MEDIA

AFL prospect Brodie Lake will play his first game of the NTFL season when he takes to the field in Southern Districts colours against Palmerston at Norbuilt Oval, after missing out on the 2020 Draft.

The Crocs have had a difficult couple of weeks falling to in-form sides St Mary’s and Waratah on consecutive weekends.

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Captain Dean Staunton insisted his side needs to focus on playing a full four-quarter game, and that the return of Lake will add plenty to the side.

“The past couple of weeks have been disappointing from a team perspective with both Saints and Waratah getting the better of us,” Staunton told the NT News.

“We’ve played some good footy in patches over the past couple of games but lapses have cost us.”

Palmerston is coming into the game following its second win of the season against the Tiwi Bombers, and will look to snatch another win against the side directly above it.

Skipper Matt Dennis and Eric Guthrie have been massive for the Magpies, while the returns of Nigel Lockyer Jr, Chris Williams and Daniel Stafford will add a lot to the side currently sitting second bottom of the table.

But there’s enough midfield strength in the Districts squad to challenge Palmerston’s problem players, with James Tsitas, Nik Rokahr and Lionel Ogden all enjoying strong seasons. Perhaps the biggest inclusion for Districts is Lake, with the talented young prospect missing out on selection in the AFL Draft this week and back to play his first game of the NTFL season.

The AFL’s loss is the Crocs’ gain, with the young gun looking to bounce back against the Magpies.

“Palmerston have been building all year and are playing some good footy,” Staunton said.

“They will be strong in the midfield with Dennis there but we can control that, play four quarters and stick to our processes we should be all right. We just need 22 competitors out there all playing their roles.

“This is also the first game back for Brodie Lake, a great kid who we’re all expecting big things from.

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“I was gutted not to hear his name read out during the draft. He’s done all the right things and will bounce back with a big future ahead of him which hopefully involves being on an AFL list.”